Product Info:
Beyond the forest Pinot Noir is the pinnacle of POCW's offerings, it's from an isolated section of the vineyard and from a dedicated parcel. While 2022 was generally a year when each parcel performed best as part of a general blend (i.e., Between Two Mountains), there was one small exception: a cuvée of great perfume, precision and finesse that demanded to be bottled separately. This wine comes from two small north- and east-facing plots that look directly at the forest surrounding our property, hence the name. Again, it was aged for 18 months in 100% Stockinger casks, 50% new. It’s a fine, pure, perfumed Pinot that certainly has enough structure for aging. The notes below tell you what to expect. It was bottled at the end of January 2024.
Maker:
Place of Changing Winds is a unique high-density vineyard situated on the southern foothills of Mount Macedon in central Victoria, Australia. Established in 2012 by wine buyer and importer Robert Walters, with the aim to create a small, high-density vineyard that could produce exceptional wines. The winery is named after its original name given by the Wurundjeri people, who called it Warekilla, or Place of Changing Winds, which still holds true today. This winery produces two sets of wines - Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their own vines, and Syrah, Marsanne from two grower vineyards, which showcase the distinct characteristics of each region. The Estate wines from Place of Changing Winds are exclusively from their property, which has an altitude of 500 meters above sea level. This cool site has good rain, cold nights and a wide diurnal range, which is surrounded by native plantings and thousands of hectares of forest.
Philosophy:
The vineyard is one of a kind, with a high density of almost 45,000 vines planted across 3.1 hectares, with densities ranging from 12,000 to 33,000 vines per hectare. Over the last decade, the winery has developed a meticulous viticulture system with no synthetic chemicals used, adapted specifically to their vineyard. The cellar is next to the vines, ensuring the fruit goes directly to the fermenters within minutes. The Estate Series wines reflect the winery's no-compromise approach and the uniqueness of their place. In addition to their Estate wines, Place of Changing Winds produces Syrah and Marsanne from two grower vineyards further north, located in the Heathcote region and Harcourt. The vineyards are managed organically, and the winery team is involved in all the viticultural decisions, including the picking dates. The goal is to craft wines of great finesse, perfume and drinkability that showcase the unique terroir of each place.
Nose - Red and Black Cherry, Turned Earth, Alpine Herbs
a fog of sweet turned earth and dried leaves, peppery spice, lifted alpine herbal elements and some faint mahogany woodiness.
Palate - Red and Black Fruits, Woody Spice, Truffle
The palate a mime of the aromas in a taut and tumbling bundle of grippy,
Finish - Puckering, Sandwalwood, Brown Spices
Almost Italianate tannin profile, finishing spicy, softly woody, fruity and savoury.
From an isolated section of the vineyard and a parcel that felt distinct from the intent of blending. Similar to Between Two Mountains, it rests in Stockinger wood, 50% new, before bottling. Supreme finesse. All the accolades and hallelujahs. It sets up with a huge volume of fine scents, cherries ‘n’ berries, a fog of sweet turned earth and dried leaves, peppery spice, lifted alpine herbal elements and some faint mahogany woodiness. The palate a mime of the aromas in a taut and tumbling bundle of grippy, almost Italianate tannin profile, finishing spicy, softly woody, fruity and savoury. It’s impressive and so very composed, elegant, luxurious despite its tension and travel. To be savoured if not to stand back and admire grandly while drinking. Sound the alarums. - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 97+ Points.
The 2022 Beyond the Forest Pinot Noir is so perfumed. It bursts forth from the glass with red-hearted summer fig, cherry, violets and Boscobel rose, raspberry pip, a hint of pomegranate, crushed rocks and native leaves. The wine is possessed of such a lovely shape: all concentration and sapidity on the front while it patiently tails out over a long, languid finish; it is persistent and fine and so composed. I love the fruit, I love the tannins, I love the balance. It feels good to drink and to chew. Superb. This is one of Australia's very finest Pinots. It's made in the same way as the Between Two Mountains Pinot and was matured in 100% Stockinger casks for 18 months, 50% new. A total of 747 bottles were filled, with 24 magnums. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax. - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate, 97+ Points.
Excellent depth of colour, with black cherry uppermost in a rich, ripe and classical pinot noir bouquet. The palate is velvet smooth and rich, with excellent concentration and long persistence, the ample tannins supplying backbone and length as well as fleshy-rich mouth-feel. Black cherry is almost singular, whole-bunch not really in evidence. Long, long carry. High potential here. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 97 points.
Matured for 19 months in 50% new Stockinger oak. Complex and convincing, rapidly changing in the 30 minutes after opening, the texture verging on silk; harmonious red berries, and red cherries, too; tannins built into its ultra-long, lingering finish. 747 bottles, 24 magnums produced.” 96 points. - James Halliday, The Weekend Australian
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Heathcote, Victoria
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 13.5%
Other - Organic
